Cherry oh Baby

The End

2011-02-18T12:22:00.000-08:00

I started this blog to document our journey to Tarik. He has now been home over a year and I feel it is time to end this blog. I will start to post pictures to http://gallery.me.com/blairkhosla

Here is a final T update...........

- Tarik love cars, truck, planes, trains and sports.

- Tarik is chatty.

- Tarik loves hummus

- Tarik likes to play with a pink purse and pretend to go grocery shopping

- Tarik loves to go swimming

- Tarik loves his roar and baby mickey mouse

- Tarik loves to talk on the phone

- Tarik love his dogs and cat

- Tarik loves music and to dance. He can sing "Somewhere over the Rainbow".

- Tarik is full of giggles and love!

Tarik you have grown so much. It seems like yesterday we held you for the first time. We are so lucky that you are our son. We love you so much!

Good Bye to a Dear Friend

2011-02-18T12:08:00.000-08:00

On February 9th, 2011 we had to put our beloved dog Otto to sleep. He became ill very suddenly. He was only 2 years old. We still don't know what the cause was but he was suffering and we couldn't let it continue. We miss him so much.

Tarik he loved you so much. He always got up in the middle of the night with you, he watched over you, he protected you and he loved you.

Dear Otto, thank-you for looking after us. You were such a great dog. We hope you and Rani are together now. We love you and will never forget you.

Christmas and New Year's

2011-01-30T19:28:00.000-08:00

Christms Eve.......

Cookies left for Santa........

Christmas morning! Surina and Mira are up at 530 am ...........

We wake Tarik up!

We end the day with a wonderful magic show!

Tarik says "Happy New Year"..........

Ok, this time with meaning........

My Grandpa would have been 100 on New Year's Day. Happy Birthday Grandpa. We love you and miss you!

Christmas Donations!

2010-12-17T11:50:00.000-08:00

A few years ago we decided that in lieu of Christmas presents for the adults in our families we would make a donation in our families names. Research and choosing an organization to donate to has become one of our favorite parts of the holidays. This year we are excited to have found 2 charities that are working in the area where our Mr T was born. Check them out!

Ethiopia Reads

Project: To build, furnish, supply and staff a school and library for 250 primary students in the Kambata-Tambaro region.So far, the base of support for this project is provided by U.S. adoptive parents whose children come from this region.

http://www.ethiopiareads.org/

http://tesfa.org/store?item=1291747635

Modula Water

Mudula is located in the Southern region of Ethiopia.This rural town with its surrounding villages has a population of approximately 10,000. Like much of Ethiopia, Mudula suffers from the effects of extreme poverty. It's most critical need is potable water. Mudula Water is a partnership between adoptive families and Children's Home Society and Family Services to raise funds and develop a water scheme to deliver clean, safe water to Mudula and the surrounding areas..

http://www.mudulawater.org

Christmas post and misc. pics!

2010-12-17T11:46:00.001-08:00

Visit with Santa and Family in Canada!

2010-12-17T11:12:00.000-08:00

Tarik and I were just in Canada. Deven was also there but had to leave earlier then us. We played in the snow, visited with Santa (from a very safe distant) met new cousins and visited with our family and friends.

This is Tarik's idol. He is also an expectant father. Would you trust your child with this man?

Dec 8th, 2010

2010-12-17T11:00:00.000-08:00

One year ago on Dec 8th, 2009 we stood before the US Embassy in Ethiopia. On this day we became a family of 4. This year on Dec. 8th, 2010 we completed Tarik's re-adoption. He is now officially a US citizen! We of course celebrated by going for Ethiopian food with good friends.

Father Daughter Ball

2010-11-13T18:37:00.000-08:00

Tonight Deven took Mira to the Father Daughter Ball. Here are some pictures from before...

First Haircut!

2010-11-13T18:21:00.000-08:00

Tarik had his first haircut in October.

Here is the before picture.........

During the haircut

After the haircut

Halloween Weekend

2010-11-03T20:31:00.000-07:00

Halloween

Our first Halloween with Tarik and Mira! It was a long weekend in Nevada so we decided to take a road trip to Point Reyes (where the happy cows live). On our way home we stopped in Granite Bay so that we could trick or treat with family. We had an awesome weekend and trick or treating with family was the perfect ending!

Pumpkin Carving

Point Reyes

Boo at the San Fran Zoo

Trick-or-Treat!

October

2010-10-09T10:23:00.000-07:00

The Pumpkin Patch

Haunted House

Poser

Summer 2010

2010-09-25T15:34:00.000-07:00

Tahoe

Hawaii

Someone Turned 40!

We Celebrated in Sacramento with Family!

Rakhi 2010

School Daze

Daycare for Tarik and 4th grade for Mira!

Happy Referralversary!

2010-07-15T06:51:00.001-07:00

One year ago today, at 11:55 am, we got the call we had waited so long for! This is the day we saw our baby boy for the very first time. It was love at first site!

This is the picture we received that day!

And here he is today!

Love you T!

Canada

2010-07-14T19:30:00.001-07:00

Here are some pictures of our Canada trip........

We arrived on Mira's b-day! Unfortunately, our flight was delayed and we didn't get there until late. Grandma and Grandpa George had Mira's cake waiting!

Father's Day at Cultus Lake.

Deven and I spent our first whole night away from Tarik. Here is the view of Harrison Lake from our balcony. Thanks Mom and George!

Tarik and his cousin Austin at the water park in Kamloops.

We had a great time visiting my Aunt Nancy and Uncle Monty! Also, my cousin was visiting from Brussels so we got to spend some quality time together.

These are the fab slippers my friend Tara made me for my b-day! I love them!!

Lots of other stuff happened like Tarik celebrated his first Canada Day etc. But this is all we have pics of.

Memorial Weekend

2010-06-03T13:47:00.000-07:00

S&O looking fabulous in their Ethiopian outfits!

Pool Fun!

Princess Mira and Prince Ali ready for a birthday party (not Tarik's)

Birthday Cake!

2010-05-28T21:11:00.001-07:00

We went for Ethiopian food tonight with our good friends. Then home for T's b-day cake. He had a great time not that you can tell from some of these pictures!

Happy 1st Birthday Tarik!!!

2010-05-28T09:13:00.000-07:00

Today our baby boy is 1. Here he is this morning.

We Love you Tarik!!!!

We are still here!!!

2010-05-26T20:14:00.000-07:00

I'm finally updating my blog. Tarik is keeping me busy these days. Most of you have seen this already. This is a video of Tarik's first real steps taken on April 13th, 2010. He was motivated by the remote (not my annoying voice as heard on the video). Anyways, this is my excuse for being a bad blogger. To busy running after my little guy!!!

This is what we have been up to..............

Deven had knee surgery and is doing great...........

Mira and Tarik's Buaji came to help out. Yay for Bauji (and Foofarji)!!!!!

Grandma came for a visit..................

Grandpa George surprised everyone (except Deven) and showed up in Reno for Mom's Day weekend..........

Mira played soccer.....

Tarik played soccer...........

Sewing projects...........

Eating yummy food at Zagol............

Choir performances..................

and the most wonderful Mother's Day weekend!

Stay tuned for Tarik's first birthday. Which will be posted in a timely manner. Promise!!

Easter

2010-04-04T18:27:00.000-07:00

Well, the Easter bunny came last night with all sorts of goodies. Here is Tarik on his first Easter morning.

After, searching for all his Easter goodies we headed over to Sasha and Owen's house. There we had a delicious Easter brunch and an Easter Egg hunt for Tarik courtesy of Sasha and Owen. Tarik had such a great time. Thanks S&O!

On Tuesday Tarik will celebrate Easter with Mira! Yep, he will witness first hand how a pro goes about an Easter egg hunt!

10 months old!

2010-03-28T18:52:00.000-07:00

My little baby boy is 10 months old today! He is walking along the furniture and with his baby walker from Jen and Shawn. He also managed to remove his diaper today (while standing) without removing his footed pj's. We call it his zoolander move. Luckily, I had just changed him so it was a clean diaper! He is also getting his 5th tooth and drooling like crazy which is why his shirt is all wet.

St. Patty's Day!

2010-03-17T20:30:00.001-07:00

Happy Anniversary!

2010-03-17T15:31:00.000-07:00

Thanks for 4 great and crazy years! Looking forward to a lifetime more.......

Mira's Gymnastic Meet!

2010-03-08T19:50:00.000-08:00

First Cookie!

2010-03-08T19:38:00.000-08:00

Tarik had his first cookie last week. I think he liked it!!

Family Photos

2010-03-08T19:23:00.000-08:00

Baby Shower!

2010-03-07T19:45:00.000-08:00

Our good friends threw Tarik an awesome welcoming party last weekend! We had a great time. I only wish we had taken more pictures!

Kirsten made this cake!

Thank-you for such a great party!

2010 Olympics

2010-02-21T21:10:00.000-08:00

We are still recovering from lasts nights very disappointing game. But here is Tarik with his Canadian hockey stick. If only we had an ice rink in Reno....

At the Live Site in Abbotsford where we were able to see the Russian figure skaters practicing!!

Off to downtown Vancouver.

Canada - Family

2010-02-21T19:53:00.000-08:00

Tarik and his Grandpa and Grandma Anne

Tarik and his cousin Noah and Auntie Taya

Tarik and his Grandma and Auntie Gail and his cousins Elisa and Kai

Mira and Tarik with their GG and cousins Kira, Deja and Austin

Mira and Tarik with their cousins Rian, Leila, and Maya and Aunt's Nipa and Natasha and Uncles Sanjiv and Rishi.

Mira and Tarik with their Grandma and Grandpa George - Thank-you for such a wonderful visit!! We miss everyone already!

Blogging from Canada!

2010-02-09T10:41:00.000-08:00

Tarik and I made it. He was a great little traveller and we had no hassles at the border. Here is Tarik in his new bathtub at Grandma's and with his GG (Great Grandma).

Packing our Bags!!!

2010-02-07T14:15:00.000-08:00

Tarik and I leave for Canada in the morning. Can't wait for everyone to meet him. He will sure miss his Daddy and Big Sis but they will join us in a couple of days.

8 Months Old!!

2010-01-27T20:00:00.000-08:00

Tarik is 8 months old! He is doing an army crawl, has 4 teeth and loves to laugh!

Ode to a sister......

2010-01-25T13:44:00.000-08:00

Without a doubt Tarik has the best big sister ever! He totally adores her. Thanks Mira for all you do.

A Boy and his Dogs

2010-01-13T21:04:00.000-08:00

Lil Canuck!

2010-01-10T19:41:00.000-08:00

Yep, we are ready for the olympics! Thanks Austin, Taylor and Ashley......

Swim Lessons!

2010-01-05T20:11:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year!!

2010-01-02T16:02:00.001-08:00

The last day of 2009 was a rough day at the Khosla house. However, it had a great ending! First the bad. Mira and I took Tarik into the pediatrician for what we thought would be a routine check-up. While examining Tarik our pediatrician discovered that Tarik has a gallop rhythm which is a (usually abnormal) rhythm of the heart. Our pediatrician sent us straight to the pediatric cardiologist. Tarik had an echo done, chest x-ray and seven vials of blood drawn. It was a very stressful day for all of us. Deven cancelled his surgery and big sis was a huge help and support. The picture below is of Mira and Tarik at the hospital.

Now the good! Tarik appears to be healthy. The echo showed a normal healthy heart! Huge relief. Once we returned home Sasha, Owen, Kirsten and Mike came over. We had a yummy dinner with good friends. The kids opened Christmas gifts (except Tarik who was already asleep). Mira decoarated a gingerbread house supplied by Kirsten and then we went to sleep at 1130 pm. Although, Mira claims she made it to midnight before falling asleep.

And New Year's Day!

Merry Christmas!

2009-12-25T21:05:00.001-08:00

We are back and thank-you

2009-12-19T06:50:00.000-08:00

We are home! We landed in San Francisco 10 days ago today. Their was a snow storm and our flight was cancelled out of San Francisco so we drove to Sacramento spent the night and then drove to Reno in the morning.

Anyways, you don't go to Ethiopia with one days notice without a little help. Their are multiple people who helped make it possible.........

Kirsten who drove us to the airport and would have picked us up if our flight hadn't been cancelled from San Fransisco to Reno. She made sure we had groceries in the house when we came home and when we weren't able to get home on Saturday she came and picked up Lulu and took her to her house for the night. Thank-you Kirsten I don't know what we would do without you!

Shelley who has been on standby for us. She house sat and took care of the dogs and Maggie the cat.

Dr Morgan who covered Deven's call schedule.

Sunny, Anu and Mummy in Sacramento took us in when we arrived in San Fran and found out our flight was cancelled to Reno . They ran out and got us all the supplies we needed and had a nice dinner waiting for us.

And finally, my Mom who came as soon as we got home to help us out.

And now here are some pictures from our trip.........

Tarik is great! He is usually pretty easy going unless he is hungry. Then he gets so grumpy and mad. he has two little teeth coming in so he chews and drools like crazy.

We Leave Tomorrow!!

2009-11-30T07:30:00.000-08:00

We just received a call asking us if we could leave for Ethiopia tomorrow. We of course said yes. Mira will now be able to travel with us!! We are so excited! So much to do. Next time I post we will be home with our little boy.

Travel Date

2009-11-24T12:58:00.000-08:00

We received our official travel date today to pick up Tarik. It was bitter sweet news. We had really been hoping for a Dec 1st travel date. However, we had to get our fingerprints redone and immigration took a long time to update them in the system. It's a long frustrating story so I will leave it at that.

Our new travel date is Dec. 15th. We get home Christmas Day. The worst part of all this is that Mira can't come to Ethiopia with us as she will be with her Mom for Christmas. We really wanted her to be a part of this experience. We will have to take her there when Tarik is old enough. On the upside we finally get to buy plane tickets and bring our baby home. A Christmas Day we will never forget.

Birth Certificate!

2009-11-11T18:30:00.000-08:00

We received Tarik's birth certificate yesterday!

This means we are one step closer to bringing him home!

Also, his big sister got her report card and it is awesome! We are very proud of her. She works so hard.

All About Tarik and Where We Are In The Process

2009-10-29T13:01:00.000-07:00

Tarik….

- Tarik's birthday is actually May 28th, 2009. Not June 7th, 2009 as previously thought. This means he shares his birthday with his cousin Mika.

- Tarik is a calm and peaceful child. He doesn’t mind the company of strangers. Though he stares at them at first, he gets excited when they play with him.

- - Tarik has the habit of making a fist and sucking his hand. He is a peaceful child and doesn’t cry easily.

- He watches his surrounding very carefully. He enjoys being hugged, soothed, and cuddled. He coos and gurgles a lot.

Brief outline of where we are in the process:

Case is approved; we are the legal parents of Tarik (**we are here)
When this decision is granted, the written court order is drafted, a letter of support is requested from the MOWA office
Once the MOWA letter is received, the birth certificate is issued – this usually takes about two weeks
When the birth certificate is issued, we will receive a scanned copy of it and we will verify that the information is correct.
Our adoption agency advises Ethiopia staff that the birth certificate information is correct and they will proceed to obtain the child’s Ethiopian passport, Embassy medical exam and will prepare the final paperwork to submit to the Embassy.
Once it is verified that Tarik has completed the visa medical exam and that the U.S. Embassy in Addis Ababa has all of the documentation that they need for our case, we will be advised of a travel date

2009-10-21T11:50:00.001-07:00

Tarik Mihretu

We passed court today!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

While we wait....

2009-10-14T18:32:00.000-07:00

I thought I would write about where Mr. T is from.

Mr. T was born in a village called Megesa. I can’t find any information about this village but this is what I have found.

Megesa is a village in the south region/state of Ethiopia known as the Southern Nations, Nationalities, and People's Region (SNNPR).

Flag of the Southern Nations, Nationalities, and People's Region
Map of Ethiopia highlighting the Southern Nations, Nationalities, and People's Region in red
Capital	Awasa
Area	112.343,19 km²
Population	14.901.990 (2005)
Population density	133 inhabitants/km² (2005)

The SNNPR borders Kenya to the south, the Ilemi Triangle (a region claimed by Ethiopia, Kenya, and Sudan) to the southwest, Sudan to the west, the Ethiopian region of Gambela to the north, and the Ethiopian region of Oromia to the north and east.

The SNNPR has an estimated total population of 15,042,531.

89.72% of the population is estimated to be rural inhabitants, while 10.28% are urban; this makes the SNNPR Ethiopia's most rural region.

55.5% of inhabitants are Protestants, 19.9% Orthodox Christians, 14.1% Muslim, 6.6% followers of traditional religions, 2.4% Roman Catholics and 1.5% all other religious affiliations.

In August 2008, the availability of drinkable water in this Region was 63.6%.

The Regional infant mortality rate is 85 infant deaths per 1,000 live births, which is greater than the nationwide average of 77; at least half of these deaths occurred in the infants’ first month of life. Our Mr. T was brought to the orphanage at 1 month.

In 2004-2005 100,338 tons of coffee was produced in the SNNPR. This represents 44.2% of the total production in Ethiopia.

More specifically Mr. T is from the Kembata Alaba and Tembaro (KAT) zone in the (SNNPR).

In 2005 this zone had an estimated total population of 1,045,138.

The five largest ethnic groups reported in this Zone were the Kambata (55.21%), the Alaba (13.78%), the Timbaro (10.95%), the Silte (8.52%) and the Hadiya (5.47%); all other ethnic groups made up 6.07% of the population. Mr. T’s family is Timbaro

2% of the inhabitants of KAT have access to electricity.

73% of all eligible children are enrolled in primary school, and 23% in secondary schools.

Even more specifically Mr. T is from a town called Mudula. Mudula is a town in located in the Kembata Tembaro Zone with an elevation of 2100 meters above sea level.

Many in the area are malnourished, and are prone to Malaria.

Mudula has an estimated total population of 5,195.

It is within Mudula that Mr. T’s village of Megesa is located.

I like this website. Not only does it seem like an awesome organization it also has pictures of the region where Mr. T is from http://www.kmgselfhelp.org/akce_flip_main.html

Update

2009-10-11T18:43:00.000-07:00

Mr. T had a recent bout of bronchitis/pneumonia and was in the hospital for a few days. He is now in the care center and doing better. As you can imagine, this was an extreme stress on us as we felt helpless beyond words. To complicate matters, our court date was delayed to October 22 and consequently our travel date will likely be impacted. As best as we can estimate, our travel date will be in late November or early December (assuming we pass court). At this time, we don't want to take anything for granted.

Deven

2009-08-11T15:59:00.000-07:00

Court Date!

We found out our court date today. October 7th! We will travel 4-6 weeks after that if we pass.

2009-08-08T16:49:00.000-07:00

Waiting......

We are still waiting for our court date in Ethiopia. We were hoping it would be before

the courts closed for the month of September. But it looks like we will have to wait until they re-open in October which means we won't be able to travel until November. But we are keeping ourselves busy...........

The Nursery is done.....

Mira has been doing quality control......

Yep, we are ready!

Referral

2009-07-16T18:00:00.000-07:00

Referral

This blog is to share our journey to Ethiopia where we will complete our family. We have been waiting 14 months to write our first post. Yesterday, July 15th, 2009, we received the call that will forever change our lives. Our case worker called at 11:55 with the news. We are now the parents and Mira is a big sister to a healthy, 5 1/2 week old boy. The Ethiopian government won't let us post pictures or give his name until after our court day. So on our blog we will refer to him as Mr T. and you will just have to take our word for it that he is absolutely beautiful. We are so in love with him.We are so lucky.......